biology / Growth & Form / free

Developmental Biology

Watch a single cell organize itself into a living body.

Follow the mechanism1 / 3

A local signal creates a field. A signaling source releases a cue that spreads and decays through a developing tissue, so nearby cells experience different concentrations.

developmental patterningpattern stabilized · boundary 3

Focus the idea

phasepattern stabilized

A-fate cells2

B-fate cells5

boundarycell 3

Signal source 82%Diffusion 58%Degradation 36%Development time 78%

The source creates a smooth signal, but diffusion and degradation set its reach. Cells read their local concentration rather than a global instruction.

This is a one-dimensional morphogen model. Real development adds time-dependent feedback, cell movement, mechanics, lineage history, and many interacting signals.

04 / PRACTICE

Make the biology yours.

0 / 3 checked

Answer from the model, then use the explanation to connect the visual mechanism to the biological rule.

CHECK 1 / 3

Developmental Biology

Make the biology yours.

What makes a smooth morphogen gradient produce distinct cell fates?